Upper Tonto Creek
Federal campground in Tonto National Forest
Location: Payson, AZ, AZ
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (14 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Upper Tonto Creek is a small campground tucked away from the main highway where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. 6 Campsites are available for reservation only. This location is available only through reservation May 1through November 3rd.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/upper-tonto-creek to be notified when sites open up.
Small, quiet campground at the confluence of Tonto and Horton Creeks with excellent access to fishing and hiking trails including the Highline National Recreation Trail. Campers praise the helpful host and peaceful atmosphere.
Wildlife alert: Arizona Black Rattlesnake, Wapiti/American Elk, Arizona Mountain Kingsnake present in area
Insider tips for Upper Tonto Creek: Book early - this is a popular federal campground with only 6 sites available for reservation Ask the campground host Ken for site recommendations, especially if you have a trailer Visit on weekdays in July for quieter conditions with fewer occupied sites
Skip Upper Tonto Creek if: You need hookups - no hookups available at this campground. You prefer camping outside May 1 - November 3 seasonal window. You want a large campground - only 6 sites total.
Best time to visit Upper Tonto Creek: May-October — Official operating season; October visits noted as particularly enjoyable by campers.
Nearby campgrounds: Lower Tonto Creek (Payson, AZ), Ponderosa (Az) (PAYSON, AZ), Christopher Creek (PAYSON, AZ), Sharp Creek (PAYSON, AZ).
Cell Phone Coverage at Upper Tonto Creek
Cell signal at Upper Tonto Creek (Payson, AZ): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The Upper Tonto Creek is a small campground tucked away from the main highway where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. 6 Campsites are available for reservation only. This location is available only through reservation May 1through November 3rd.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early - this is a popular federal campground with only 6 sites available for reservation
Ask the campground host Ken for site recommendations, especially if you have a trailer
Visit on weekdays in July for quieter conditions with fewer occupied sites
Official operating season; October visits noted as particularly enjoyable by campers
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Tonto National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Tonto National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Upper Tonto Creek cost per night?+
What season is Upper Tonto Creek open?+
Does Upper Tonto Creek have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Upper Tonto Creek?+
How do I make reservations at Upper Tonto Creek?+
What is the cell service like at Upper Tonto Creek?+
What season is Upper Tonto Creek open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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